Vasculature of the proximal UE Flashcards
Which artery supplies the upper extremity?
Subclavian artery
What is the subclavian artery renamed when it descends over the first rib?
Axillary artery
How does the axillary artery descend to the upper extremity?
Descends between the clavicle and first rib
What surrounds the axillary artery as it descends through the axilla?
Brachial plexus
Are the brachial plexus and the axillary artery deep or superficial to the pec minor?
Deep
What is the axillary artery renamed once it descends pas the level of the teres major?
Brachial artery
What are the borders of the axillary artery?
Border begins: Distal border of 1st rib
Border ends: Distal border of teres major
(in between these: axillary artery)
What area of the axillary artery is considered part 1?
The part of the axillary artery that is proximal to the pec minor
What area of the axillary artery is considered part 2?
The part of the axillary artery that is deep to the pec minor
What area of the axillary artery is considered part 3?
The part of the axillary artery that is distal to the pec minor
Part 1 of the axillary artery has how many branches?
One
Part 2 of the axillary artery has how many branches?
Two
Part 3 of the axillary artery has how may branches? What are they?
Three:
-2 circumflex arteries (anterior and posterior branches), wrap around proximal humerus
-Subscapular artery: gives off circumflex scapular artery (wraps around/goes to back of scapula) & thoracodorsal artery
What arteries make up the scapula anastomosis?
Circumflex artery & thoracodorsal artery, dorsal scapular artery, and superscapular artery
Which arteries of the scapula anastomosis are branches from the axillary/subscapular artery?
Circumflex scapular artery (CS) and Thoracodorsal artery (TD)
Which artery of the scapula anastomosis is a branch from the subclavian/transverse cervical artery?
Dorsal scapular artery
Which artery of the scapula anastomosis is a branch from the thyrocervical trunk?
Suprascapular artery
What is the purpose of the scapula anastomosis?
Provides a “plan B” of blood supply to the UE through alternative routes if there is any occlusion/damage to the axillary artery
What are the alternative routes to supply the UE with blood (offered by the scapula anastomosis)?
Dorsal scapular artery, Suprascapular artery, Circumflex scapular artery, Thoracodorsal artery
What are the borders of the brachial artery?
Border begins: distal to teres major
Border ends: bifurcation of cubital fossa (split into ulnar and radial artery) in elbow
In between these: Brachial artery
What are the three branches of the brachial artery?
Deep artery of the arm, Superior and Inferior ulnar collateral nerves (these two branches head to the elbow)
What does the deep artery of the arm (branch of brachial artery) descend along with?
Radial nerve (along radial/spiral groove of humerus)
What is the deep artery of the arm (branch of brachial artery) renamed when it emerges out of the groove? Where does it terminate?
Radial collateral artery, terminates in elbow
Where do the superior and inferior collateral arteries terminate?
The elbow
What does the basilic vein drain?
Medial upper extremity
What does the basilic vein merge with? Once merged, it drains into which vein?
Merges with brachial vein, drains into axillary vein
What does the axillary vein drain into?
Subclavian vein
What vein merges with the IJV to form the brachiocephalic vein?
Subclavian vein
What does the cephalic vein drain?
Lateral upper extremity
Where does the cephalic vein ascend?
Superficial along lateral arm
What does the cephalic vein enter?
The clavipectoral (deltopectoral) triangle
What does the cephalic vein drain into?
Axillary vein (“dives deep” to get there)
When is the axillary vein renamed to the subclavian vein?
When the axillary vein passes under the clavicle and over the first rib (in order to enter the superior aperture of thorax)
Once the subclavian vein merges with the IJV and becomes the brachiocephalic vein, where does it drain?
Into the SVC (and back to the heart)
What is a clinical application of the subclavian vein?
Subclavian vein central line placement
How can you locate the subclavian vein for a central line placement?
By locating the junction of the proximal third and middle third of the clavicle (medial to half way point of the clavicle)
***Subclavian artery also posterior to subclavian vein, use caution
